Healthcare Commission criticises standards

Between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected in a three-year period at a "shocking" NHS hospital trust, a report has said.

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust had deficiencies at "virtually every stage", leading to some patients dying unnecessarily, the Healthcare Commission report said.

It found staff were inadequately trained and too few in number, leading to serious lapses in care. Junior doctors were left alone in charge at night and wards and bathrooms were dirty, the study showed.

The inquiry was launched after concerns were raised about higher than normal death rates in emergency care, particularly at Stafford Hospital.

Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the NHS, said there had been a "gross and terrible breach of trust" of patients, adding the report showed there had been a "complete failure of leadership".

Some patients were left in pain or needing the toilet, sat in soiled bedding for several hours at a time and were not given their regular medication, the investigation found.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson has apologised to families and patients and announced a review of current A&E services at the hospital as well as one to establish how long problems had been going on for.

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